Music on Mondays — Junior Seau, Bob Welch, and me
At the time I disappeared — that’s the correct word — from College Station, Texas, in April 1993, I owned over 5,000 vinyl records and over 1,000 CDs. About 100 CDs accompanied my disappearance in my highly customized 1989 Ford Mustang GT — Beatles, Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simon & Garfunkel, Doobie Brothers, Bread, Queen, Fleetwood Mac — music to which I could sing along as I was driving down the highway.
I didn’t know where my trip would end but I knew how it would end — at least I thought I did — in suicide. I left College Station on April 15, 1993, and drove north with the intent on ending my life in Canada. I was too patriotic to do it in the United States. Weird and sick, I know. Sick, mostly. How I wound up in San Diego — alive! — is a story for another time.
This past month we here in San Diego have had to deal with the suicide of a popular and successful former professional football player, Junior Seau — 10-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. Suicide? And no friend or family had any clues? Probably not. I wasn’t leaving clues either.
Earlier this month, Bob Welch committed suicide. Welch was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971-1974. Shortly after Welch left Fleetwood Mac, the group rocketed to international supergroup status with the 1975 release of “Fleetwood Mac.”
I want to share two songs in today’s Music on Mondays from the Music Chronicles of Russel Ray. The first is “Ebony Eyes” from 1977, Welch’s most successful hit after he left Fleetwood Mac. The second is “Sentimental Lady,” a 1972 hit for Fleetwood Mac that was written by Bob Welch. The last is “Don’t Try Suicide,” a song off of Queen’s 1980 album “The Game.” Seems like life is, indeed, a game, but don’t try suicide. If you’re reading this and having thoughts about ending it all, find a way to call me or email me. I’ve been there. I’m not a professional counselor but at least give me a chance to help you first…………
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Posted on June 18, 2012, in Music on Mondays and tagged beatles, bob welch, bread, college station texas, don't try suicide by queen, doobie brothers, ebony eyes by bob welch, fleetwood mac, ford mustang gt, junior seau, lynyrd skynyrd, music, queen, sentimental lady by bob welch, sentimental lady by fleetwood mac, simon and garfunkel, vinyl record albums, who. Bookmark the permalink. 11 Comments.
It is sad… I love Fleetwood mac… My memories come back when I think of them or listen to them… Thank you, have a nice day dear Russel Ray, love, nia
OMG! What? You must have been in despair.
I could not give society, family, and friends what they wanted of me.
Hi,
It sounds like you did reach a very low point at one stage, but you obvously pulled yourself out of your depression, which of course is more than good news.
Love the video’s,especially Fleetwood mac.
Kudos for coping so well with depression. I too have a very dear one going through that at the moment whom I hope will see things through in the very near future. Well done to you
Love the music. You are always inspiring. http://thewitcontinuum.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/monday-2/ An inspiring blog award. Hope you like.
Thank you so much. I am deeply honored.
A very generous offer. I think more people have been to that place, more than want go admit. I hope you’ve had your last visit. Be well.
omg! what would we have done? you are a gift to all of us…thank you for your candid post, your inspiring life and your continued shared joy…again, what would we do without you?
what a collection!!!! nothing can beat good music.
We’ve known two people (one 14 yr old teen) who committed suicide and it’s devastating, to say the least. I’m glad you pulled out of your darkest moment, Russell… This is a great post; thanks for sharing and offering to help if others are in need~